Rock's Backpages

E201: Bob Merlis on Warner Bros. + Little Feat + Neil Young audio


Listen Later

For this episode we're joined – all the way from L.A. – by special guest Bob Merlis. The former head of publicity at Warner-Reprise Records in Burbank talks us through his musical odyssey from his Brooklyn childhood to his continuing PR work for the likes of ZZ Top and Carlene Carter.

We hear about Bob's start at Record World in late '60s New York and the early '70s pieces he wrote for that trade publication and for Warners' short-lived Words & Music. Our guest then talks about his brief stints at RCA and Albert Grossman's Bearsville Records before touching on key acts and moments in the nearly three decades he spent in Burbank: Little Feat's Lowell George, Jerry Wexler producing Etta James and Warners president Joe Smith roasting the infamous Morris Levy. Clips from Dave Zimmer's 1988 audio interview with Neil Young prompt discussion of that quintessential Reprise artist (and his comrades in CSNY).

After Mark quotes from pieces about Elektra Records dropping the MC5 and free-improv guitarist Derek Bailey, Jasper talks us out with reflections on the musical passions of footballer Rio Ferdinand and Houston rapper Chamillionaire.

Many thanks to special guest Bob Merlis. For info on Bob's PR work, visit https://mfhpr.com/m-f-h-at-20.

Pieces discussed: R&B is B(l)ack and InvolvedJerry Wexler Crosses Tracks for Tony JoeTodd Rundgren Warps TimeLowell George Talks About Little FeatLittle Feat Keeps On Truckin'Little Feat: How To Construct a "Critics' Band"Neil Young audioElektra Records Kicks Out MC5Derek Bailey: Themes on ImprovisationThe Record Doctor: Rio Ferdinand and Chamillionaire: Change.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Rock's BackpagesBy Barney Hoskyns, Mark Pringle, Jasper Murison-Bowie

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

41 ratings


More shows like Rock's Backpages

View all
Transmissions by Aquarium Drunkard

Transmissions

222 Listeners

Sodajerker On Songwriting by Sodajerker

Sodajerker On Songwriting

383 Listeners

Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast by Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

292 Listeners

THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST by ADAM BUXTON

THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

1,315 Listeners

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds by Nate Goyer, Record Collector, Music Fan, Vinyl Maniac

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

499 Listeners

Rolling Stone Music Now by Rolling Stone | Cumulus Podcast Network

Rolling Stone Music Now

984 Listeners

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond by Pushkin Industries

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

4,141 Listeners

The Bob Lefsetz Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

The Bob Lefsetz Podcast

434 Listeners

Something About the Beatles by Evergreen Podcasts

Something About the Beatles

344 Listeners

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt by Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

322 Listeners

Beatles Books by Joe Wisbey

Beatles Books

58 Listeners

The Alexei Sayle Podcast by Alexei Sayle and Talal Karkouti

The Alexei Sayle Podcast

40 Listeners

Word In Your Ear by Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold

Word In Your Ear

62 Listeners

Kermode & Mayo’s Take by Sony Music Entertainment

Kermode & Mayo’s Take

316 Listeners

Strong Message Here by BBC Radio 4

Strong Message Here

27 Listeners